"Rebecca Woolis has produced a handbook that is both practical and
accessible, eminently useful for anyone who has a family member with a
serious mental illness" — E. Fuller Torrey, M.D., author of Surviving
Schizophrenia

This book is an outstanding overview for extended family members and
others involved in the care/support of a person who has bipolar
disorder aka manic depression. Has proven very helpful in our situation. — Anonymous reader

A well seasoned therapist, I have been working with individuals, couples and families for more than thirty years.With some people in my private practice I offer short term, specific focused work on current issues.With others the work may be longer term and include exploring past experiences that continue to impact you today.It all depends upon the individual(s) and the problems at hand.I have two primary areas of specialization; one involving major psychiatric disorders, the other working with lesbians.I am author of When Someone You Love Has a Mental Illness: A Handbook for Family, Friends and Caregivers, which has been translated into Japanese, Russian, Dutch, Korean and Spanish.

Additionally my general practice includes work with adults struggling with life transitions, relationship problems, work stress, people living with distressing level of anxiety and/or depression and/or substance use, grief and loss.I have been involved in leadership roles in community mental health programs serving adults with major psychiatric disorders and their families since 1976. I have provided consultation and dozens of trainings for mental health professionals and family groups in the United States and Canada. I have been the Program Director of Bonita House’s Berkeley Creative Living Center since 2005. I received my MA in Clinical Psychology from JFKU in 1973 and licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in 1978.